About

Painting by Lori Loebelsohn

“Bike Montclair” was founded in 2002 [the name was changed in 2009] with the idea that Montclair could one day become a safe haven for walking and bicycling. Today, we’re a small, dedicated and growing group of volunteers that envisions bicycling and walking as a safe, appealing and feasible choice for all users and all trips, building a strong community fabric on a more human scale. We eagerly seek new members from Montclair and surrounding communities.

Bike&Walk Montclair is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization.

All memberships and contributions are tax-deductible.

Vision

Montclair is a walkable, bikeable, and livable community where all modes of transportation exist in a balance, and participants in traffic respect each other and behave with courtesy

Mission

The mission of Bike&Walk Montclair is to create a bicycle-friendly and walkable Montclair through advocacy, education, and encouragement. Through these means, our aim is to improve our health, clean our air, make our streets safer and improve our overall quality of life.

One Goal

More people walking and biking on safe, complete streets.

Objectives

Advocate for bicycling and walking as a safe, healthy and feasible choices for people of all ages and abilities for all trips

  • Participate as an advisor to the town council through volunteer advisory committees (TPAC, PTAC, SAFE).
  • Work with Township to officially adopt and implement the SAFE Streets plan and map.
  • Maintain role with Montclair Safe Routes to School Task Force to implement town-wide programs and adopt SRTS Travel Plan
  • Expand partnerships with local and neighboring community groups
  • Coordinate with Township Council, Manager and Mayor on developing and passing proclamations, resolutions and/or policies related to bicycling and walking in Montclair.
  • Work with law enforcement for appropriate enforcement of traffic law at it relates to contributing to a safe environment cyclist and pedestrians.

Educate and expand community knowledge base of bicycle and pedestrian safety, and be a resource for information such as safe practices, accessible design, and implementation successes.

  • Partner with Partners in Health Foundation in their Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) campaign to make the healthy choice the easy choice
  • Implement a youth-led public awareness/education initiative.
  • Update website/listserv as a community resource and forum
  • Coordinate Learn to Ride, Smart Cycling Skills, and Traffic Skills clinics for kids and adults
  • Solicit sponsors for educational & promotional brochures
  • Provide PSAs to local cable & other media

Encourage people to walk and bike more often by promoting and sponsoring fun events.

  • Continue partnership with Montclair Township, Montclair YMCA, and Essex County Department of Parks to hold annual Tour de Montclair
  • Continue partnership with Health & Wellness to increase the percentage of children walking or riding bikes to school.
  • Promote seasonal events like National Bike Month, International Walk to School Month, World Carfree Day, Earth Day, etc.
  • Promote local and regional guided rides

Benefits

  • Increase health and fitness opportunities for children and adults through active recreation and human-powered transportation
  • Increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and reduce dangerous driving
  • Reduce traffic congestion and manage traffic better
  • Improve the environment by reducing fossil fuel use and emitting fewer emissions
  • Stimulate economic development and smart growth in business districts
  • Improve quality of life with vibrant, livable public spaces connecting community
  • Have more fun